Experts dig into the past to find remains of Shropshire medieval settlement

Members of Newport History Society opened up two test pits at Wellbank Farm, Pickstock, yesterday and said they came up with some interesting finds.

Among the pieces brought to light were an ornament and buckles from a horse's halter which are believed to date back to the medieval period, and a penny which appeared to be Georgian.

Julian Meeson, field officer for the history society, said it had been a good start. "We didn't find a lot of items but what we did find was interesting," he said. "We dug two test pits and had our metal detectorists there.

"The detectorists did very well, and we found some flint in the test pits, which were on the periphery of the site.

"We found a horse harness decoration made of bronze dated between 1400 and 1550 and we have got a few coins from the 18th century."

However, some of the finds were definitely more modern, including coins from the popular Chetwynd Medieval Fair, which is held on the site every year.

"We found a replica medieval coin and some blanks which had been dropped by the man who was making coins there," said Mr Meeson.

"We checked with the site owners and they confirmed that where we found them was where he had been."

The society plans to return to the site to carry out further digs in other areas of the farm to try to find more evidence of the area's history.

Shards of 18th century pottery have previously been found in the farm's orchard, as well as clay pipe bowls from the 17th century.

Some of the society's finds will be on display in Newport's heritage centre, in the High Street, on Saturday from 10am until 2pm.

Admission is free.